Compostable Toys and Related Methods

ABSTRACT

A beach toy bucket includes a housing and a rim. The housing has a bottom and one or more walls defining a cavity. The one or more walls include a first end and a second end. The bottom is disposed at the first end of the one or more walls. The rim is disposed at the second end of the one or more walls and collectively defines a shape surrounding the cavity. The housing and the rim are formed from a compostable material.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 62/860,339 filed on Jun. 12, 2019, the disclosure of which is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to compostable toys, and more particularly to compostable beach toys.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

Plastic materials such as polyethylene, polystyrene, or polyvinylchloride are often used to manufacture articles such as toys, games, product packaging and components of miscellaneous assemblies. Such articles can be manufactured using various processes, such as injection molding, extrusion, or three-dimensional printing. For example, beach toys, such as buckets, shovels, and sieves are often manufactured at least in part from a polyvinylchloride material using an injection molding process. Upon the end of their useful life, such articles, including the materials used to manufacture the articles, may end up in undesirable locations, where they often take hundreds of years to decompose and, upon doing so, release harmful and undesirable substances (e.g., toxins) into the environment. For example, due in part to the proximity to oceans, lakes, and other bodies of water with which they are used and played with, discarded beach toys often end up in such bodies of water where they eventually end up polluting and contaminating the shorelines, ocean bottoms, lakebeds, etc. In some cases, the discarded articles end up being ingested by marine and other wildlife, which may in turn be consumed by humans, leading to sickness or even untimely death.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a beach toy bucket. The beach toy bucket includes a housing and a rim. The housing has a bottom and one or more walls defining a cavity. The one or more walls include a first end and a second end. The bottom is disposed at the first end of the one or more walls. The rim is disposed at the second end of the one or more walls and collectively defines a shape surrounding the cavity. The housing and the rim are formed at least in part from a compostable material.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the one or more walls includes a substantially planar first wall.

In some implementations, the one or more walls includes a first wall having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may define a plane spaced apart from the second surface to define a recess. The second surface may be substantially parallel to the plane.

In some implementations, the bottom includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may define a plane spaced apart from the second surface to define a recess.

In some implementations, the rim includes a first tab extending from the rim toward the bottom. The first tab may include a first aperture extending therethrough.

In some implementations, the bucket includes a handle disposed within the first aperture. The bucket may include a second tab having a second aperture formed on an opposite side of the cavity than the first tab. The handle may be disposed within the second aperture.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a kit of beach toys. The kit includes a bucket and a sieve. The bucket includes one or more first walls and one or more first upper lips. Each first upper lip is disposed at a first end of a first wall of the one or more first walls. The one or more first walls collectively define a cavity. The one or more first upper lips collectively define a shape surrounding the cavity. The sieve includes one or more second walls and one or more second upper lips. Each second upper lip is disposed at an end of a second wall of the one or more second walls. The one or more second upper lips collectively define a channel configured to receive the one or more first upper lips.

This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features.

In some implementations, the one or more first upper lips is configured to receive a handle.

In some implementations, the cavity is configured to receive the one or more second walls.

In some implementations, the bucket or the sieve is formed from a compostable material.

In some implementations, the one or more second upper lips comprises a flange that extends beyond the first upper lip to form a handle.

In some implementations, the one or more first walls includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may define a plane spaced apart from the second surface to define a recess. The recess may extend from a second end of the one or more first walls. The second end may be disposed opposite the first end.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a kit of beach toys. The kit of beach toys includes a bucket, a sieve, and a shovel. The bucket includes a housing and a rim. The housing includes one or more first walls and a bottom. The one or more first walls includes a first end and a second end. The bottom is disposed at the first end of the one or more first walls. The one or more first walls collectively defines a cavity. The rim is disposed at the second end of the one or more first walls and collectively defines a shape surrounding the cavity. The sieve includes one or more second walls and one or more upper lips. Each upper lip is disposed at an end of a second wall of the one or more second walls. The one or more upper lips collectively defines a channel configured to receive the rim. The shovel includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end includes an axially extending handle. The distal end includes an axially extending frustoconical body with a cutout defining a scoop.

This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features.

In some implementations, the cavity is configured to receive the sieve and the shovel.

In some implementations, at least one of the bucket, the sieve, or the shovel is formed from a compostable material.

In some implementations, the handle includes an aperture extending therethrough.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a beach toy bucket. The bucket may include a housing and a rim. The housing may include a plurality of walls defining a cavity. The plurality of walls may include a bottom disposed at a first end of each of the plurality of walls. The rim may be disposed at a second end of each of the plurality of walls and define a shape surrounding the cavity. The housing and the rim may be formed at least in part from a compostable material.

This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features.

In some implementations, the plurality of walls includes a planar first wall.

In some implementations, the plurality of walls includes a first wall having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may define a plane spaced apart from the second surface to define a recess.

In some implementations, the bottom includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may define a plane spaced apart from the second surface to define a recess.

In some implementations, the rim includes a first tab extending from the rim toward the bottom.

In some implementations, the compostable material includes one or more of a semi-crystalline polyester resin or a biopolymer resin.

In some implementations, the compostable material includes a mixture of a compostable polybutylene succinate resin and a compostable polylactic acid resin.

Yet another aspect of the disclosure provides a beach toy bucket. The bucket may include a housing and a rim. The housing may include a bottom and at least one wall. The at least one wall may extend from the bottom and at least partially define a cavity. The rim may be disposed at an end of each wall of the at least one wall and define a shape surrounding the cavity. The housing and the rim may be formed at least in part from a compostable material.

In some implementations, the plurality of walls includes a planar first wall.

In some implementations, the plurality of walls includes a first wall having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface may define a plane spaced apart from the second surface to define a recess.

In some implementations, the rim includes a first tab extending from the rim toward the bottom.

In some implementations, the compostable material includes one or more of a semi-crystalline polyester resin or a biopolymer resin.

In some implementations, the compostable material includes a mixture of a compostable polybutylene succinate resin and a compostable polylactic acid resin.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beach toy kit in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bucket of the beach toy kit of FIG. 1, a handle of the bucket being removed for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the bucket of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the bucket of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the bucket of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the bucket of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a shovel of the beach toy kit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the shovel of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a top view of the shovel of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a sieve of the beach toy kit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the sieve of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the sieve of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the sieve of FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the sieve of FIG. 10 taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the beach toy kit of FIG. 1 in the assembled configuration.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a beach toy kit 10 in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. While the beach toy kit 10 is generally shown and described herein as including a bucket 12, a shovel 14, and a sieve 16, the beach toy kit 10 may include other toys and articles within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the kit 10 may include a rake, various sand molds, and various assemblies (e.g., trucks, water towers, etc.) within the scope of the present disclosure.

The bucket 12 may include a housing 18 and a handle 20. With reference to FIGS. 2-6, the housing 18 may include a first wall 22 a, a second wall 22 b, a third wall 22 c, a fourth wall 22 d, and a bottom 24. While the housing 18 is generally shown and described herein as having four walls 22 a-22 d defining a cuboid shape, the housing 18 may include more or less than four walls 22 a-22 d defining various other three-dimensional shapes (e.g., a cylinder) within the scope of the present disclosure.

Each of the walls 22 a-22 d of the housing 18 may include a first end 26 and a second end 28 opposite the first end 26. The bottom 24 may be disposed at the first end 26 of the one or more walls 22 a-22 d such that the one or more walls 22 a-22 d collectively define a cavity 29. The bucket 12 may also include a rim 30 disposed at the second end 28 of the one or more walls 22. The rim 30 may define a shape surrounding the cavity 29.

With reference to FIG. 2, the first wall 22 a and the third wall 22 c may each include a first surface 32 and a second surface 34. The first surface 32 may be spaced apart from the second surface 34 to define a recess 36 and a corresponding protrusion 37 within the cavity 29. The recess 36 and/or the protrusion 37 may be defined in part by opposing sidewalls 38 a and 38 b and a top wall 42. As illustrated, the recess 36 may extend through, or otherwise define, an opening 40 in the bottom 24 of the housing 18. The top wall 42 may oppose the opening 40.

Referring to FIG. 3, the sidewalls 38 a and 38 b, may converge as they extend from the first end 26 to the top wall 42. In some implementations, the sidewalls 38 a and 38 b may be substantially parallel to one another. In other implementations, the bottom 24 may be formed without the opening 40. The configuration of the protrusion 37 and the recess 36 may allow a first bucket 12 to be more easily disposed (e.g., stacked) within a second bucket 12. In this regard, the protrusion 37 of a first bucket 12 may be received by, and disposed within, the recess 36 of a second bucket 12 to allow for more efficient alignment and stacking of a plurality of buckets 12.

As illustrated, the recess 36 may extend upward toward the rim 30. In some implementations, the recess 36 is centered on the first wall 22 a or the third wall 22 c. In other implementations, the recess 36 extends the entire height of the first wall 22 a or the third wall 22 c from the first end 26 to the second end 28. In some implementations, the opposing sidewalls 38 a and 38 b may cooperate with the bottom 24 and the top wall 42 to form substantially radial corners. In other implementations, the opposing sidewalls 38 a and 38 b may cooperate with the bottom 24 and the top wall 42 to form right angle corners.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottom 24 of the housing 18 may include a first surface 48 and a second surface 50. The first surface 48 may be spaced apart from the second surface 50 of the bottom 24 to define a recess 52 and a corresponding protrusion 53. The recess 52 and/or the protrusion 53 may further be defined by at least one sidewall 54 that cooperates to form an enclosed perimeter of the recess 52 and/or the protrusion 53. In some implementations, the at least one sidewall 54 of the recess 52 and/or the protrusion 53 may be contoured. In other implementations, the at least one sidewall 54 of the recess 52 and/or the protrusion 53 may be planar. The recess 52 and/or the protrusion 53 may take any shape that fits within the surface area of the bottom 24 of the housing 18. In some implementations, the recess 52 may be square and the sidewalls 54 may cooperate to form arcuate corners. In other implementations, the sidewalls 54 form substantially right angles. In other implementations, the sidewalls 54 cooperate to form a substantially round perimeter. The configuration of the protrusion 37 and the recess 36 and the protrusion 53 and/or the recess 52 may allow a first bucket 12 to be more easily disposed (e.g., stacked) within a second bucket 12. In this regard, the protrusion(s) 37 and/or 53 of a first bucket 12 may be received by, and disposed within, the recess(es) 36 and/or 52 of a second bucket 12 to allow for more efficient alignment and stacking of a plurality of buckets 12.

Referring to FIG. 4, the rim 30 may extend outwardly from the walls 22 a-22 d and surround the cavity 29. In this regard, the rim 30 may define the same shape (e.g., a square, a circle, a triangle, etc.) as the one or more walls 22 a-22 d. In some implementations, the rim 30 includes one or more tabs 44 extending from the rim 30 toward the bottom 24. The one or more tabs 44 may include an aperture 46 formed through a thickness of the one or more tabs. In some implementations (e.g., FIG. 1), the aperture 46 is sized to receive the handle 20.

In the assembled configuration (e.g., FIG. 1), the handle 20 may be coupled to the housing 18. For example, in some implementations, the tabs 44 extend from the rim 30 on opposed sides of the cavity 29. In some implementations, the handle 20 is formed from woven fibers in the form of a rope. In other implementations, the handle 20 is formed from another material, such as metal or the same material from which the housing 18 is formed.

With reference to FIGS. 7-9, the shovel 14 may include a first end 56 having a scoop 58 and a second end 60 having a handle 62. The shovel 14 may have a substantially circular cross sectional shape 64. A longitudinal axis A₁₀ extends along the length of the shovel 14 from the first end 56 to the second end 60 and is centrally located within the shovel 14. The shovel may further have a collar 66 that connects the scoop 58 to the handle 62 and is axially centered on the longitudinal axis A₁₀. The collar 66 may be disposed between the first end 56 and the second end 60. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the collar 66 may be contoured to accommodate varying diameters of the scoop 58 and the handle 62. In some implementations, the contour of the collar 66 may include a radius. In other implementations, the contour of the collar 66 may define a right angle.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the scoop 58 may be axially centered on the longitudinal axis A₁₀ and define a frustoconical body having an open first end 76 associated with the first end 56 of the shovel 14, a second end 78 coupled to the collar 66, a first sidewall 80, a second sidewall 82, and a third sidewall 84 that cooperate to define a cavity 86. The first and second sidewalls 80 and 82 may extend along the longitudinal axis A₁₀ from the open first end 56 of the shovel 14 toward the second end 78 coupled to the collar 66. The third sidewall 84 may extend transverse to the longitudinal axis A₁₀, along a perimeter of the frustoconical body of the scoop 58. The first sidewall 80, second sidewall 82, and third sidewall 84 may converge with each other to define the cavity 86 in the frustoconical body of the scoop 58. In some implementations, the first sidewall 80, second sidewall 82, and third sidewall 84 cooperate to define a substantially contoured (e.g., cylindrical) cavity 86. In other implementations, the first sidewall 80, second sidewall 82, and third sidewall 84 cooperate to define a substantially polygonal cavity 86. In other examples, the first sidewall 80, second sidewall 82, and third sidewall 84 may cooperate to define a substantially arcuate cavity 86.

The handle 62 of the shovel 14 may be axially centered on the longitudinal axis A₁₀ and tapered from the second end 60 of the shovel 14 to the collar 66 that connects the handle 62 to the scoop 58. The handle 62 may further include a proximal end 68 and a distal end 70 opposite the proximal end 68. The handle 62 may taper from the proximal end 68 toward the distal end 70 such that a cross-sectional area of the proximal end 68 is greater than a cross-sectional area of the distal end 70. The handle 62 may further include an aperture 72 formed through a thickness of the handle 62 transverse to the longitudinal axis A₁₀. In some implementations, the aperture 72 is used to receive an additional handle (e.g., a rope or a string) for storing (e.g., hanging) the shovel. Referring to FIG. 9, the shovel 14 may further include a passage 74 extending along the longitudinal axis A₁₀ so that material (e.g., sand) may move throughout the length of the shovel 14.

With reference to FIGS. 10-14, the sieve 16 may include a base portion 88 and a rim portion 89. The base portion 88 may include a first wall 92 a, a second wall 92 b, a third wall 92 c, a fourth wall 92 d, and a bottom 94. While the base portion 88 is generally shown and described herein as having four walls 92 a-92 d defining a cuboid shape, the base portion 88 may include more or less than four walls 92 a-92 d defining various other shapes (e.g., a cylinder) within the scope of the present disclosure. In this regard, the shape defined by the walls 92 a-92 d may be substantially similar to the shape defined by the walls 22 a-22 d of the housing 18, while the size of the shape defined by the walls 92 a-92 d may be smaller than the size of the shape defined by the walls 22 a-22 d of the housing 18.

Each of the walls 92 a-92 d may include a first end 98 and a second end 100 opposite the first end 98. The bottom 94 may be disposed at the first end 98 of, and extend from and between, the one or more walls 92 a-92 d such that the one or more walls 92 a-92 d and the bottom 94 collectively define a cavity 99. The bottom 94 may further include a plurality of holes 101 extending therethrough, such that the bottom 94 defines a substantially porous construct.

The rim portion 89 may be disposed at the second end 100 of the walls 92 a-92 d and include a corresponding first lip 96 a, second lip 96 b, third lip 96 c, and fourth lip 96 d extending outwardly from the respective first wall 92 a, second wall 92 b, third wall 92 c, and fourth wall 92 d, such that the walls 92 a-92 d and the lips 96 a-96 d collectively define a channel 102 surrounding the walls 92 a-92 d and the cavity 99. The one or more lips 96 a-96 d disposed at the second end 100 of the one or more walls 92 a-92 d collectively define a shape surrounding the cavity 99. In this regard, the shape defined by the lips 96 a-96 d may be substantially similar to the shape defined by the rim 30 of the housing 18, while the size of the shape defined by the lips 96 a-96 d may be larger than the size of the shape defined by the rim 30 of the housing 18.

The rim portion 89 may further include a first handle portion 90 a and a second handle portion 90 b. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the first handle portion 90 a may extend outwardly from the first lip 96 a, and the second handle portion 90 b may extend outwardly from the third lip 96 c. In particular, the first lip 96 a may extend away from first wall 92 a to form the first handle portion 90 a extending substantially parallel (+/−ten degrees) to the bottom 94, while the third lip 96 c may extend away from third wall 92 c to form the second handle portion 90 b extending substantially parallel (+/−ten degrees) to the bottom 94. In some implementations, the handle portions 90 a and 90 b are curved or rounded. In other implementations, the handle portions 90 a and 90 b are contoured to the shape of fingers to facilitate gripping of the sieve 16.

With reference to FIG. 15, the bucket 12 may be sized to receive the sieve 16 and the shovel 14. In use, a user first places the shovel 14 in the bottom of the bucket 12, and then nests the sieve 16 within the walls of the bucket 12, such that the user can carry the beach kit 10 as a single unit. In particular, in the assembled configured, the base portion 88 of the sieve 16 may be disposed within the cavity 29 of the bucket 12. In some implementations, an inner surface of one of the walls 22 a-22 d may engage an outer surface of one of the walls 92 a-92 d. For example, the first wall 22 a may engage the first wall 92 a, the second wall 22 b may engage the second wall 92 b, the third wall 22 c may engage the third wall 92 c, and the fourth wall 22 d may engage the fourth wall 92 d. The rim 30 may be disposed within the channel 102 such that the rim portion 89 engages, and is supported by, the rim 30. In particular, the lips 96 a-96 d may engage the rim 30 such that the handle portions 90 a, 90 b extend outwardly relative to the rim 30. The bottom 94 of the sieve 16 and the bottom 24 of the bucket 12 may define a void 104 extending therebetween within at least a portion of the cavity 29. As illustrated in FIG. 15, the void 104 may be sized to receive the shovel 14.

One or more of the bucket 12, the shovel 14, or the sieve 16 may include, or be formed at least in part from, a biodegradable material. In some implementations, the bucket 12, the shovel 14, and the sieve 16 are formed from a certified compostable material that satisfies ASTM D6400 compostability standards (e.g., non-toxic and able to decompose into soil in municipal and industrial aerobic composting facilities, including biodegrading at a rate comparable to known compostable materials). In particular, the bucket 12, the shovel 14, and the sieve 16 may be formed at least in part from a semi-crystalline polyester resin or a biopolymer resin. For example, the bucket 12, the shovel 14, or the sieve 16 may be formed at least in part from a blend of a compostable polybutylene succinate (PBS) resin and a compostable polylactic acid (PLA) resin. In this regard, the bucket 12 (e.g., the housing 18), the shovel 14, or the sieve 16 may be formed at least in part from a compostable material, including a mixture of a compostable PBS and a compostable PLA.

The PBS resin of the bucket 12, the shovel 14, or the sieve 16 may have a variety of properties making it suitable for use in the sand or on a beach. For example, in some implementations, the PBS material of the bucket 12, the shovel 14, or the sieve 16 includes the properties shown in Table 1.

Properties Test Method Unit Value Density ISO 1183 g/cm³ 1.26 MFR(190° C., 2.16 kg) ISO 1133 g/10 min 22 Melting Point ISO 3146 ° C. 115 Yield Stress ISO 527-2 MPa 40 Stress at Break ISO 527-2 MPa 30 Strain at Break ISO 527-2 % 170 Flexural Modulus ISO 178 MPa 630 Flexural Strength ISO 178 MPa 40 Izod Impact ISO 180 kJ/m² 7 Strength (23° C.) Heat Deflection ISO 75-1 ° C. 95 Temperature (0.45 MPa) Rockwell Hardness ISO 2039-2 R Scale 107

The PLA of the bucket 12, the shovel 14, or the sieve 16 may also have a variety of properties making it suitable for use in the sand or on a beach. For example, in some implementations, the PLA material of the bucket 12, the shovel 14, or the sieve 16 includes the properties shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Value ASTM Method Physical Properties Specific Gravity 1.24 D792 MFR, g/10 min 14 D1238 (210° C., 2.16 kg) Relative Viscosity 3.3 Crystalline Melt 145-160 D3418 Temperature (° C.) Glass Transition 55-60 D3418 Temperature (° C.) Clarity Transparent Mechanical Properties Tensile Yield Strength, 9,000 (62) D638 psi (MPa) Tensile Elongation, % 3.5 D638 Notched Izod Impact, 0.3 (16.0) D256 ft-lb/in (J/m) Flexural Strength (MPa) 15,700 (108) D790 Flexural Modulus (MPa) 515,000 (3600) D790 Heat Distortion 55 E2092 Temperature (° C.)

A method of manufacturing the kit 10 may include forming one or more of the bucket 12, the shovel 14, or the sieve 16 from the compostable material. For example, the bucket 12, the shovel 14, or the sieve 16 may be manufactured by injection molding, extruding, or three-dimensionally printing the compostable material.

The configuration, materials, and manufacturing methods described herein provides a beach toy kit 10 that is compact, easy-to-use, and compostable. Accordingly, the beach toy kit 10 reduces the risk of unknowingly or undesirably polluting the environment with toxins and other harmful materials. For example, the previously-described configuration of the beach toy kit 10, including the method of assembling the bucket 12, the shovel 14, and the sieve 16 as a single unit, reduces the risk of polluting the environment by inadvertently leaving one of the bucket 12, the shovel 14, or the sieve 16 in an undesirable location (e.g., the beach). Moreover, the compostable material of the bucket 12, the shovel 14, or the sieve 16 reduces the risk of polluting the environment by ensuring that, upon the end of its useful life, through intentional or inadvertent discarding, the beach toy kit 10 will disintegrate in a compostable manner (e.g., in a way that satisfies the previously-described ASTM D6400 compostability standards) that does not pollute the environment with harmful materials.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.

The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A beach toy bucket comprising: a housing having a bottom and one or more walls defining a cavity, the one or more walls including a first end and a second end, the bottom disposed at the first end of the one or more walls; and a rim disposed at the second end of the one or more walls and collectively defining a shape surrounding the cavity, wherein the housing and the rim are formed from a compostable material.
 2. The beach toy bucket of claim 1, wherein the one or more walls includes a planar first wall.
 3. The beach toy bucket of claim 1, wherein the one or more walls includes a first wall having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a plane spaced apart from the second surface to define a recess.
 4. The beach toy bucket of claim 1, wherein the bottom includes a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a plane spaced apart from the second surface to define a recess.
 5. The beach toy bucket of claim 1, wherein the rim includes a first tab extending from the rim toward the bottom.
 6. The beach toy bucket of claim 1, wherein the compostable material includes one or more of a semi-crystalline polyester resin or a biopolymer resin.
 7. The beach toy bucket of claim 1, wherein the compostable material includes a mixture of a compostable polybutylene succinate resin and a compostable polylactic acid resin.
 8. A beach toy bucket comprising: a housing having a plurality of walls defining a cavity, the plurality of walls including a bottom disposed at a first end of each of the plurality of walls; and a rim disposed at a second end of each of the plurality of walls and defining a shape surrounding the cavity, wherein the housing and the rim are formed from a compostable material.
 9. The beach toy bucket of claim 8, wherein the plurality of walls includes a planar first wall.
 10. The beach toy bucket of claim 8, wherein the plurality of walls includes a first wall having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a plane spaced apart from the second surface to define a recess.
 11. The beach toy bucket of claim 8, wherein the bottom includes a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a plane spaced apart from the second surface to define a recess.
 12. The beach toy bucket of claim 8, wherein the rim includes a first tab extending from the rim toward the bottom.
 13. The beach toy bucket of claim 8, wherein the compostable material includes one or more of a semi-crystalline polyester resin or a biopolymer resin.
 14. The beach toy bucket of claim 8, wherein the compostable material includes a mixture of a compostable polybutylene succinate resin and a compostable polylactic acid resin.
 15. A beach toy bucket comprising: a housing including a bottom and at least one wall, the at least one wall extending from the bottom and at least partially defining a cavity; and a rim disposed at an end of each wall of the at least one wall and defining a shape surrounding the cavity, wherein the housing and the rim are formed from a compostable material.
 16. The beach toy bucket of claim 15, wherein the at least one wall includes a planar first wall.
 17. The beach toy bucket of claim 15, wherein the at least one wall includes a first wall having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface defining a plane spaced apart from the second surface to define a recess.
 18. The beach toy bucket of claim 15, wherein the rim includes a first tab extending from the rim toward the bottom.
 19. The beach toy bucket of claim 15, wherein the compostable material includes one or more of a semi-crystalline polyester resin or a biopolymer resin.
 20. The beach toy bucket of claim 15, wherein the compostable material includes a mixture of a compostable polybutylene succinate resin and a compostable polylactic acid resin. 